Thai PM appears in courtJump to media playerThailand is on the verge of a major political upheaval as the Constitutional Court considers whether to dismiss the country's caretaker Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, for abuse of power.

Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra: Opposition calls for reform

Conditions in Thailand are not right for a "free and fair election", the deputy leader of the country's Democratic party has claimed.

Kiat Sittheeamorn was speaking following a court ruling, ordering Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and members of her cabinet to step down over claims of abuse of power. More than 20 cabinet members were allowed to stay in their posts and are expected to form a caretaker government.

Mr Sittheeamorn told BBC News that his party was not able to campaign safely in some parts of the country, and called for a "national conciliation" before the vote.